One of the most famous Greek songs of Smyrna was Σ' αγαπώ γιατί εισ' ωραία (I Love You Because You Are Beautiful). This rendition, performed by noted chanteur of Byzantine music Petros Gaitanos, is a beautiful exploration of the relationship of a man and a woman, typical of Greek songs of Smyrna, but, this is a more intimate, introspective examination of male-female unions than other songs of Greek Smyrna.
It details how a man worships the ground on which his lady love walks on, but, she has shut him out, and he is pleading with her to let him back into her life. Like all the Greek songs of Smyrna, it is seemingly simplistic on the surface, but, it delves into human nature, and humanity, in a manner which is still very relevant to this day.
Its spare approach to physical detail weaves an affecting, haunting narrative which remains long in the mind, even after the listener has soaked it in. In addition to this, as with the other songs of Greek Smyrna, it contains a rich subtext which can be read any number of ways, and, definitely benefits from repeated plays to unfold the many hidden layers of meaning which it beholds.
